NAIROBI – A coalition of civil society organisations has formally petitioned the National Assembly to erect a statue in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga within the grounds of Parliament Buildings. The petition, submitted to the Clerk of the National Assembly around Thursday, October 23, 2025, seeks to commemorate what it calls Odinga’s immense contributions to Kenya's democratic and constitutional development.

The petition was lodged by the Consortium of Civil Societies in Kenya, led by its chairperson, Peter Agoro, and lawyer John Wangai. It argues that Odinga's decades-long public career, which saw him serve as a Member of Parliament, a Cabinet Minister, and as Kenya's second Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, warrants a permanent monument at the heart of the nation's legislature.

Arguments for the Monument

The petitioners frame the request as a matter of national heritage and democratic symbolism. They cite Odinga's pivotal roles in the fight for multiparty democracy in the 1990s, the enactment of the 2010 Constitution, and his consistent advocacy for devolution, human rights, and gender equality. The document describes him as the “Father of Democracy” and a “global statesman” whose work elevated Kenya's international standing.

“Erecting a statue of Rt. Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga within the precincts of Parliament Buildings would inspire Members of Parliament daily with the ideals he stood and fought for — democracy, justice, equality, and accountability,” the petition reads in part. The proponents suggest the statue would serve as a “moral compass for lawmakers” and a perpetual reminder to avoid passing laws that could erode hard-won democratic freedoms.

The legal basis for the petition is Article 119 of the Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to petition Parliament on any matter within its authority. The petitioners also reference the Petition to Parliament (Procedure) Act and the National Museums and Heritage Act. They draw parallels to monuments of other national heroes, such as Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi and Tom Mboya in Nairobi's Central Business District, arguing that a similar honour for Odinga is overdue.

Parliamentary Precedent and Procedure

The request to place a statue within the parliamentary grounds is significant. The precincts of Parliament are home to the mausoleum of Kenya's first president, Jomo Kenyatta, making it a site of considerable national importance. A statue of Kenyatta also stands outside the Parliament buildings. Should the petition be approved, Odinga's statue would be one of very few monuments located within the secure legislative compound.

According to parliamentary procedure, the Clerk of the National Assembly has seven days to review the petition to ensure it meets the legal requirements. If deemed compliant, it will be forwarded to the Speaker of the National Assembly, who will then present it to the House. The petition is expected to be committed to the Public Petitions Committee for consideration. The committee has 60 days to consider the petition, which may involve inviting the petitioners and relevant state officials for hearings, before tabling a report with recommendations for the entire House to debate and vote on.

Political Context and Public Reaction

The petition comes just over a week after Odinga was accorded a state funeral on Sunday, October 19, 2025. During the 2025 Mashujaa Day celebrations, President William Ruto posthumously awarded Odinga the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya, the country's highest civilian honour, describing him as “a patriot of uncommon courage.” The call for a statue has been a recurring theme on social media since his passing, with many Kenyans sharing artistic impressions of potential monuments.

However, the lead petitioner, Peter Agoro, has recently faced legal challenges. On September 17, 2024, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested Agoro for allegedly demanding a KSh 3 million bribe from a state corporation CEO. The EACC reported that he was arrested after receiving a portion of the alleged amount. The current status of this case requires FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.

As of Friday, October 24, 2025, the leadership of major political parties, including the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), had not issued official statements regarding the petition. The nation now awaits the Speaker's action and the subsequent parliamentary process that will determine whether this proposal to immortalise one of Kenya's most influential political figures becomes a reality.